THE SOLAR ECLIPSE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 295, 8 May 1911, Page 5

THE SOLAR ECLIPSE.

JIB. CLEMENT WRAGGE'S SUCCESS' FUL MISSION.

By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night.

Ine following message from Mr. Clement Wragge arrived to-day by the steamer Purley, which called at the Islands en route from San Francisco:—

"I organised a special eclipse expedition to Lifuka and Maungaone Island. A magnificent view was obtained, with a cloudless skv during the entire period of totality. The weird light, culminating with a purple darkness over the ocean, and the ripple of the shadow tends over the cocoanut palms, afforded an unique spectacle. Altogether ten photographs of the total phase were secured, besides others during the progress of the eclipse, and three sketches.

"The hydrogen flames were especially marked on the S.E. and N.E. quadrants, some leaping higher than others from a continuous ridge of red flame. The biggest red flame exceeded 173,000 miles. On the S.W. and N.E. quadrants four great coronie appeared (two from each quadrant), and they extended from the sun's limb over 400,000 miles. Observing also with the telescope, it was most interesting watching the obscurity by the moon of n huge sun storm fully 30,000 miles in diameter. The natives rushed into their houses in fright. Venus was a striking object in the eastern sky. "At Vavau, unfortunately, the sky was reported cloudy, and the observations there were marred in consequence. The photographs have been sealed up, and will be developed in New Zealand."